DALLAS. In humid and subtropical Arlington, England’s national team stood for one of its better premieres.
But the journey began with a frosty atmosphere in the drive.
First of all, it should be mentioned that no one can do this better than Peter Wennman.
Through his storytelling technique and his recurring characters, Wennman painted the English press corps as sometimes burdus and downright predatory. Especially during championships, where England often underperformed.
But also strangely charming. Who does not remember Mr. Bison, the Skeleton – and the distinguished Elegant.
After seven years among the English tabloid journalists, I feel comfortable enough to answer the question: have times changed?
Yes and no.
Frosty atmosphere
The day before England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, the mood is frosty in the press conference room at Dallas Stadium.
Partly because of the air conditioning, which is impossible to avoid in Texas. But the flight from Kansas City – where the national team is based – was chilly for a completely different reason.
The golden rule had been broken. Or, rather, one of the English reporters broke away from the pact.
To cut a long story short: In an interview with the tabloids, Thomas Tuchel revealed that Tino Livramento was injured, suggesting that the full-back would leave the camp. Since the league captain shared this with the embargo section, which basically exists to protect the paper newspaper, the group agreed not to delve further into the matter.
Be amazed when The Telegraph published an exposé on Tuesday morning. The article not only reported how Livramento was on his way home, but that the replacement would be Trevoh Chalobah.
The press corps’ own What’s App group suddenly became hot.
The defense rested in part on a technicality: It had never been said that you couldn’t chase the story of who would connect. However, that excuse did not go down well.
The elegant is elegant
Well, we move on.
The elegant is still elegant, although he often works solo these days after being let go by his magazine a couple of years earlier. A news that received a lot of attention in England.
When he catches sight of me at Dallas Stadium, he points out how quickly time flies. After all, it’s been two summers since we stood in a deserted parking lot outside some German arena in search of a taxi at night.
Then the press conference begins with Tuchel and Harry Kane. Axel Pileby’s question with Sverigeknorr to Kane tears down laughs – but not as many as when a BBC reporter happens to introduce himself as a Daily Mail reporter (the mistake becomes less fun if you know that until recently he worked for the Daily Mail).
Apart from the broken pact and the fact that the press conference was held in the evening – a nightmare for the newspaper editors back home in England – most people seem to be in good spirits waiting for kick-off.
Locked in aquarium
I want to say that “God save the King” made the hair on the back of my neck stand up on Wednesday afternoon, as it should.
But that would be something to take in. We reporters were locked in something that reminded us of an aquarium. You shouldn’t really complain about being there at England’s World Cup opener against Croatia – but were we even there? The experience was not much different from a giant 3D screen like that in an American sports bar.
On the pitch, however, England finally delivered.
Harry Kane in all glory, but if Tuchel has managed to solve the mystery of Jude Bellingham, this team can be reckoned with.
Sure enough, the young Englishman lost the ball that led to Croatia’s first goal. But he contributed greatly to the victory with his runs and positioning, which is often nothing more than a classic ten.
It is only the defense that is unconvincing, as a cynical tabloid journalist points out.
Here is perhaps the biggest difference compared to Wennman’s era. After years of disappointment, the belief that England will actually go all the way is considerably more restrained.
The breasts are still protruding, especially in the blended zone. Outside the arena, optimistic tones of “It’s Coming Home” can be heard. The general level of drunkenness is… just right? Dehydration is probably a bigger problem than intoxication in this heat.
The English have developed something that barely existed 25-30 years ago: an intermediate position. In the stands, in the columns and perhaps also in the self-image.
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